Drie honden bij een karkas 1654

Pauwels van Hillegaert made this print of three dogs by a carcass sometime in the 17th century. The image shows an everyday scene of animalistic behavior, but it also invites us to consider the social conditions that shape such displays. Hillegaert was working in the Dutch Golden Age, a period of immense economic growth and social change. Through their artistic patronage, the wealthy merchant class encouraged more secular art showing everyday life. Prints like these would have been relatively inexpensive and available to a wide audience. They offered a glimpse into a world where the struggle for resources was constant, and where social hierarchies were often enforced through violence. The print's stark depiction of animal aggression can be read as a commentary on the competitive and often brutal nature of human society, where individuals and groups vie for dominance. To understand this artwork more fully, we might consult historical accounts of social life in the Dutch Republic. By examining the socio-political context, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the role art plays in reflecting and challenging the norms of its time.